Running a race with no goals

Much like running “naked,” it can be pretty freeing. On July 27th I’ll be running the 2nd half of the San Francisco Marathon (for the mathematically challenged, that’s 13.1 miles) with Nuun (they signed on to be the on course support), so instead of racing for a time, I’ll be running with no stress, drinking ALL the Nuun on course, and encouraging runners along the way, especially those who may look like they’re struggling a bit. This is a big change for me because normally when I run a 1/2, I want a PR!! Chances are that I’ll still start out going too fast because in my head I’m still thinking “race mode!” I’ve run 1/2 marathons and other shorter races in San Francisco, but most have been along the Embarcadero, into the Presidio and towards the bridge (and some across the bridge), or into Golden Gate Park, finishing (or starting) on the Great Highway. This will be a new course for me to run, since it starts at Spreckel’s Lake in GG Park, runs through Haight/Ashbury, the Mission, Mission Bay, passes by AT&T Park and then finishes along the Embarcadero. It might be a Boston Marathon qualifying race, but it FA SHO isn’t flat!

Are you running the SF Marathon? I’ll be at the Nuun booth at the expo on Friday evening and all day Saturday – come say hi!

Comments (8)

That’s awesome! How did you get to run with Nuun? I want to get my dad (who introduced me to Nuun first) a Nuun cycling jersey for our first century together at the end of August. You are one lucky lady and so are those fellow runners who will benefit from your support and encouragement.

Thank you so much! I do contract work for them on the side, and have been heading out to the official SF Marathon training program training runs to hydrate them, talk to them about Nuun, proper hydration, what dehydration looks like, etc., since Nuun is the on course support. Through that I’m able to run the race (it was a fluke because someone had to drop out for me to be able to), but I’m not passing up on the chance!

I’m not running but I really want to do a half in SF. The timing just hasn’t worked out. I usually just go into races hoping to do my best and if a PR happens, it happens. You’re gonna have a ton of fun! Can’t wait to hear about it! XOX

I’m super excited! There are some great ones in San Francisco, depending on what time of the year you’re looking to do one here. April is RnRSF, July is SF Marathon, November is US Half marathon and those are just the big ones!

I’ve only ran the 1st half, but really enjoyed running that course! Most of my recent races have been w/o hard and fast goals (with the exception of trying to keep up w/ Meb at the SD RnR). I didn’t know there was such a thing as a course support runner. So do you just pass runners and encourage them, or run with them for a while too? Good luck!!Phong Chieng recently posted…How Long is a Marathon [Infographic]